Hillary Clinton goes on the record in favor of same-sex marriage

If you thought that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had previously been on the record in favor of gay marriage, you’d be mistaken. In what I’m considering some clear jockeying for the 2016 Democratic nomination, Clinton put out a web video explaining her stance:

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton came out in support of gay marriage Monday as the Supreme Court readies to hear oral arguments on same-sex marriage later this month.

Clinton approached the gay-rights group Human Rights Campaign about a week ago to ask how she could lend support to their efforts, according to Human Rights Campaign spokesman Fred Sainz.

“She has worked with [Human Rights Campaign] in the past and she talked to us about how she could help, so this message, to get the word out, is particularly important in advance of oral arguments scheduled next week,” Sainz said. “She hoped to add her voice to the series of voices” in support of gay marriage.

Despite the 2016 presidential buzz that surrounds her, Clinton has maintained a relatively low profile since stepping down as secretary of State earlier this year. The video message is her first foray back in the public spotlight, and in it, she says she supports gay marriage “personally and as a matter of policy and law, embedded in a broader effort to advance equality and opportunity for LGBT Americans and all Americans.” Clinton added, “Like so many others, my personal views have been shaped over time by people I have known and have loved.”

I don’t think she would put out this big of a production if it weren’t meant to be noticeable enough to raise her 2016 profile and avoid any possible criticism from the left on this topic.

Nate Ashworth is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Election Central. He's been blogging elections and politics for almost a decade. He started covering the 2008 Presidential Election which turned into a full-time political blog in 2012 and 2016.

5 COMMENTS

I believe that Homosexuality is simply a soul who chose a sex to incarnate in and discovered that couldn’t deal with it for probably 90%. There are exceptions, I’m sure, and other reasons. But it is still a personal choice and right.

I also believe that if a Gay couple can verify their exclusive relationship for a minimum of 5 years that a civil union can be granted for insurance and survivor benefits. This could also extend to any 2 people.

It is interesting timing. It’s too late to make a difference in the direction of public opinion, and it’s too early to be making policy statements.

The public attitude has shifted with breathtaking speed. So maybe Hillary felt she should avoid appearing that she got on board too late, regardless of her future plans. By putting it in the context of human rights, it gives her standing on the topic.

Being gay is not a “choice.” It’s a combination of nature and nurture, neither of which are a “choice.” It’s just who you are.

This is the kind of societal change that only goes in one direction. It wasn’t long ago that interracial marriage was also illegal. Now, I’d say no thinking person would fight to reinstall that prohibition, as well.

It will be interesting to see how the Supreme Court rules in the California and other cases on this topic.

Goethe – I agree with you completely. However i think this was Clinton’s way of declaring she is a 2016 candidate and i’m very glad.

Gay – If the Supreme court follows the Constitution and Amendments, and holds to Secular, they must sanction Gay Marriage. But Abrahamic religions still dominate the American public by probably greater than 80%. Most Spiritualists and even Atheists in the US mutated from a Abrahamic religion and may have residual emotions.

whatever the reason, it’s a good thing…I hope she does run in 2016.. she’s smart and tough and though Obama is smart, I think she outshines him in the tough department. who woulda thunk it..a white female out-toughing a black man…he’s a good man but he’s just plain too nice. My husband says it’s the white in him.